An experiment to test electric light aparatus for use on the railways.
“On Saturday night an experiment was made on the Great Western Railway, to test the power of a new species of light produced by electricity, particularly with a view to its being used by railway trains. The light is produced by an apparatus invented by M. Le Mott, a French gentleman, who has been for several years employed in electrical experiments in Russia, and whose discoveries in that department are well known to the scientific world. At half past six o’clock a truck, containing a wooden square box, about the size of a sentry-box, and having a galvanic battery of some sixty or seventy small jars disposed around it, was attached to the last carriage of the train then about to proceed from Paddington. The light was produced inside the box, and the rays, condensed and heightened by a powerful reflector, were emitted by an aperture contrived for the purpose. The light was produced before the train left Paddington, when a dazzling blaze filled the whole of the spacious station, casting the numerous gas lamps there completely into the shade. As the train proceeded on its way, the reflection left a long train of clear bright light for the distance of a mile and more behind it, in such a manner as to render it utterly impossible that any train coming up behind should run into it, except as the effect of deliberate intention. The reflection, as seen from the carriage, was very beautiful, the prismatic colours being distinctly and vividly delineated along the outer edge of the circle of radiation; and as these fell upon the dense column of smoke ascending from the engine, the effect was singular and striking. The night was dark, but clear, and so far favourable to the experiment; and objects, such as a bridge, were rendered distinctly visible at the distance of two miles. The experiment was made as far as Slough, on arrivinig at which station the truck was detached from the train, and continued there for about half an hour, till the up-train arrived, with which it returned to town. While at Slough, the light was turned in the direction of Windsor Castle, as it was the expectation of M. Le Mott, who accompanied the experiement, that it would be seen from thence. While there, a gentleman stationed himself at the distance of 200 yards or so from the apparatus, and read a newspaper by the light produced, which he found he could do with perfect ease. The apparatus then returned to town in the same manner, the light being continuously intense during the whole of the journey and return; and it was stated by the ingenious inventor that there could be no difficulty in keeping it up for the whole night. The experiment afforded great satisfaction to all who witnessed it, the only drawback being that the apparatus, having been in the first instance adapted for stationary experiments, suffered considerably from the jolting inseparable from railway motion, a defect which the inventor considered might be with ease overcome in any future experiment. This is the first time that light produced by electricity has been applied to railway purposes; and if its use should be fouind practicable, there can be no doubt that it will add greatly to the safety of night-travelling by railway.”
The Stamford Mercury, 24th November, 1848.